The season is almost over for Mercedes team and it’s time for executive director Toto Wolff to take stock of the performances of his two drivers Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton.
On the side of Hamilton, after winning his fourth championship the Briton is being credited by his Mercedes boss. His record combines of course with the more-than perfect.
Mercedes team chairman, Niki Lauda, meanwhile, said that Hamilton had to work to master this car initially capricious.
“Our car was not the best this year,” Lauda said. “In the last three years, with our performance advantage, even I could have been a champion. But with Ferrari, which was so strong this year, we have to recognise that it was Lewis who gave us the title, not the other way around.” Lauda added.
The balance sheet of Bottas is more contrasted. While the Finn has had a good start to the year, but his second half of the season was more complicated compared to his team-mate. Doubts remain as to his ability to be more than a second chance.
“Valtteri has slowly but surely raised his level, but he still needs something more to become a F1 killer next season I think.” Wolff said.
In the Brazilian Grand Prix, even he was in pole position, the 28-year-old driver was overtaken at the first corner by Sebastian Vettel and could not redouble the Ferrari.
Wolff, however, wants to defend the one he has had signed in the offseason, to replace, in an emergency of German retired driver Nico Rosberg.
“When Ferrari increased its engine power in the end, you could see that there was little difference between the cars. We must not blame the driver, but the car.” Wolff defended.
Sebastian Vettel was the winner during a thrilling race in Brazilian GP. (Source:www.sportinglife.com)
Bottas on the other hand, reacted on Sunday after he failed to finish at the first position at the Circuit of Autodromo, Jose Carlos Pace, in Brazil. He was unable to fix his position after Vettel sealing his victory.
“I am very disappointed. I lost it at the start,” Bottas said. “After that it was very close with them and I tried to put pressure on Sebastian but it didn’t lead to anything.
“Obviously it’s not good for me in the battle for second place in the championship. He’s got quite a good lead now so we need some miracles in Abu Dhabi GP,” he added.
